A mere two months in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery scolded him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
Per the data, twice all season has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more against United.
The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents managed more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
- The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
